Analysis of road transport energy consumption and emissions: a case study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the growing energy consumption pattern and emissions due to increasing vehicular density in the Vellore district. The transport demand in Indian cities has increased substantially over the past few years. Increasing household incomes and economic development in cities have added to this growing demand.

Design/methodology/approach

The growth of Vellore town currently is such that in a short period of time, the development is likely to engulf the entire district as one big city, as it happened for Chennai. It is at a transitional stage where it is possible to bring about certain policy changes to prevent the catastrophic effects of urbanization. To test the objectives of the study, statistical and mathematical tools such as mean, coefficient of variation, correlation and regression models are used. Growth of vehicle population in Tamil Nadu in general and Vellore in particular are analyzed by computing the percentage rate of change and trend rate of growth.

Findings

A study of the past four years shows a tremendous growth in the number of two-wheelers, while the number of buses has declined. The study also shows that public transport fuel consumption is < 20 per cent of the overall fuel consumption. The emission of all greenhouse gases is rising and it shows a linear growth. The increase in emission of CO₂ is most alarming.

Research limitations/implications

The diversity of sources that have been combined together implies a consequent reduction in accuracy. Data from different sources had different geographical boundaries (state, district, region and country). Thus, the data had to be translated to the relevant geographical area by using proportionality ratio. This manipulation does impact on the accuracy of the used data.

Practical implications

This article provides a framework that can inform decisions makers on consequences in the absence of timely intervention and policy changes.

Originality/value

Road transport is an inherently complex sector as it deals with a very large number of individual vehicles and factors of influence. The findings have implications for government in general and policy-makers in particular. This article puts together data of a particularly vulnerable region at a time when policy changes could bring about lasting beneficial effects. This region has not been included in any previous research.

Citation

Franco, S. and Ravibabu Mandla, V. (2014), "Analysis of road transport energy consumption and emissions: a case study", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 341-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-03-2013-0004